VANCOUVER BANDITS INDIGENOUS JERSEY

The Vancouver Bandits' Indigenous jersey was designed by Kwantlen First Nation artist Jeff Dickson.


The jersey’s primary colour is orange, which aligns with Orange Shirt Day, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the Bandits’ classic brand colour. The colour orange acknowledges the intergenerational trauma associated with the residential school system and conveys the Bandits’ commitment to building relationships with Indigenous communities, events and programs across the province.


The Bandits are honoured to wear this jersey throughout the rest of the 2023 CEBL season in an effort to contribute to the celebration of Indigenous culture and to promote stronger connections with Indigenous communities and histories across Canada.


A percentage of the proceeds of each jersey purchased will be donated to the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society (LFVAS) following the 2023 season. LFVAS provides a wide variety of services ranging from preschoolers to Elders; including personal support and family programs, as well as educational support systems.

ABOUT THE JERSEY & BC'S INDIGENOUS HISTORY

Indigenous people have lived in the area known as British Columbia for more than 10,000 years Today, there are approximately 200,000 Indigenous people in British Columbia. They include First Nations, Inuit and Métis There are more than 200 distinct First Nations in BC, each with their own unique traditions and history. More than 30 different First Nation languages and close to 60 dialects are spoken in BC BC has the greatest diversity of Indigenous cultures in Canada. Of the 12 unique Indigenous language families in Canada, 7 are located exclusively in BC.


Information Courtesy of the Government of British Columbia and Canada

FOREST IMAGERY

The back is adorned with cedar boughs as if hanging from the forest canopy. This conveys a sense of strength, nobility and the protection one feels when walking through the forest. Branches are arranged around the neckline to represent a necklace of cedar to remind viewers that we are under the umbrella of the natural world. The narrowing width of the styling on the back of the jersey enhances the idea of being among the giants of the court and the forest

CEDAR WEAVING

The side panels of the jersey feature cedar weaving. This iconic styling is central to the Coast Salish peoples and is a reminder of our connection to our environment. Cedar stripping has been done for thousands of years in a way that it is sustainable to the tree and of practical importance to people. Its stitched look represents the binding that will hold these symbols together and bind the Bandits to hold these ideals close to them.

FORMLINE

The front shoulders and shorts are partial formline renditions of the Bandits fox icon to once more make the statement that the Bandits are aligned with First Peoples ideals. The Bandits are a growing part of the community, will become a larger part of the Lower Mainland and will continue to work together with Indigenous peoples and lands that have existed since time immemorial.

growth

Rising up on the back of the jersey is a cedar sapling that is being protected by two formline foxes. I see the foxes representing guardians of the sapling just as the Bandits are seeking to foster the development of young people through the vehicle of sport.

Share by: